A Mass intention for conversion, for someone with an addiction and in a difficult matter – how to word it

Parish of Our Lady of Białynicze 24 October 2026 6 min

When someone close to you has drifted away from God, is struggling with an addiction, or there is conflict in the family, Holy Mass can be the quietest and most persevering form of care. Here is how to word such an intention gently – with ready-made examples for a son, a husband, someone with an addiction and “for a special intention”.

A Mass intention for conversion, for someone with an addiction and in a difficult matter – how to word it — Wilfredor · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

In brief

An intention for conversion is worded briefly and with respect for the person we are praying for: “For the grace of conversion and return to God for Adam”, “For freedom from addiction and strength for Mark.” There is no need to give details or name the addiction – you can also simply write “For a special intention”. It is requested as an “Individual Mass intention”, and for a matter that goes on for a long time the faithful choose a novena of Masses for the living. Mass does not replace the help of a doctor, a therapist or a support group – it is the prayer of the Church that accompanies that help.

Praying for someone who does not pray

Asking on behalf of another person lies at the very heart of faith. The Catechism says that since Abraham, intercession – asking on behalf of another – has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God's mercy, and that in interceding for others the Christian shares in the intercession of Christ himself, even for those who do him harm (CCC 2634–2635). The person for whom we request a Mass does not need to know about it or agree to it: a priest may offer Mass for anyone (can. 901).

The patron of such intentions is St Monica, who prayed for years with tears for her son Augustine. In the Confessions Augustine recalls that a bishop advised her to leave her son alone for the time being and only pray for him, and when she kept pressing him, he consoled her that the son of so many tears could not perish (Book III, 12, 21). Augustine was converted many years later. This story is not a promise that every request will be fulfilled according to our plan – it is an encouragement to persevere and to choose patient prayer rather than pressure. The parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11–32) reminds us that the Father waits for everyone who comes back.

How to word a difficult intention gently

No diagnoses or labels. The intention may be read out aloud. Instead of “for John Smith, an alcoholic”, write “for the grace of sobriety for John” or, more generally still, “for healing of soul and body for John”.
The first name alone. In difficult matters the surname can usually be left out – God knows who is meant, and you protect the good name of the person you love.
Ask for grace, not for a script. “For conversion”, “for light”, “for good people along his way” – rather than “that he will come home before Christmas”.
Remember the family. The relatives of someone who is addicted or lost need strength too. You can add: “…and for patience for his family”.

The other rules for wording an intention are covered in our guide how to word a Mass intention.

Examples of intentions

For conversion and a return to the faith

For the grace of conversion and a return to the sacraments for Christopher.
For the gift of faith and a heart open to God for our son, Damian.
For the grace of a good confession and reconciliation with God for our father, Richard.
Through the intercession of St Monica – for the conversion of Liam and perseverance in prayer for his mother.

For a son, a daughter, grandchildren

For God's care and good choices for our son, Patrick, who is going through a difficult time.
For the light of the Holy Spirit and good friends for our daughter, Victoria.
For faith and God's guidance for our grandchildren.

For a husband or wife

For the grace of a change of heart and a return to God for my husband, Thomas.
For the healing of our marriage and the grace of mutual forgiveness.
For strength in the struggle against addiction and peace of heart for my husband, Darren.

For someone with an addiction

For freedom from addiction and the grace of sobriety for Mark.
For the courage to begin treatment and the perseverance to continue it for Adrian.
In thanksgiving for a year of sobriety for Paul, asking for continued perseverance.
For freedom from addiction and God's protection for Kevin.

The formula “for the grace of sobriety” suits an addiction to alcohol; “for freedom from addiction” suits any other – to drugs, gambling or the internet.

For reconciliation in the family

For reconciliation and harmony between the brothers Michael and James.
For the grace of forgiveness in the O'Connor family.
For peace in our family and the healing of wounded relationships.

In a difficult matter and “for a special intention”

When the matter is too personal to name, you can use the time-honoured formula “for a special intention” (also “for an intention known to God”). The priest does not need to know the details – he offers the Mass for the intention that the person requesting it carries in their heart.

For a special intention.
In a difficult family matter – for light and God's help.
For a good resolution of a difficult matter, through the intercession of Our Lady of Białynicze.

One Mass or a longer prayer?

Conversion or recovery from addiction is usually a journey, not a single day. That is why, besides a single Mass intention, the faithful often request a novena of Masses for the living – nine Masses on consecutive days – or thirty Masses to the Heavenly Court, commending the person to the intercession of Mary and the saints. It can be good to link a single Mass with an important day: a son's birthday (examples in birthday Mass intentions), the start of treatment or an anniversary of sobriety. All the forms are compared in our guide Mass intentions. Remember that Gregorian Masses are offered only for the dead.

Mass does not replace help

Prayer and responsible action go hand in hand. Someone with an addiction usually needs professional treatment, and their family needs the support of a specialist or a group for relatives of people with addictions. If there is violence at home or someone is in danger, first make sure everyone is safe and contact the appropriate services. In matters of conscience and faith, a conversation with a priest in your own parish will help. A Mass requested in Białynicze is not advice or therapy, but the prayer of the Church that embraces the whole of this journey.

How to request a Mass for conversion

In the form, choose “Individual Mass intention”, enter the wording of the intention and – if the date matters to you – the date. You can also send the intention by e-mail or WhatsApp (details on the contact page). We reply by e-mail with a proposed date – if the day you chose is already taken, we will suggest one as close to it as possible; any other details are agreed in our reply. Once the offering has been made to the parish account, we send a confirmation with the wording of the intention and the date and time of the Mass within two days at the latest. If you find it hard to put the matter into one sentence, describe it in your own words; we will suggest a short, discreet formula for you to approve. We commend the intentions to God through the intercession of Our Lady at the shrine in Białynicze. When your intention is ready, you can send it through the request form.

Sources

Catechism of the Catholic Church – nos. 2634–2635
Code of Canon Law (1983) – can. 901
St Augustine, Confessions, Book III, 12, 21 (New Advent)
Biblia Tysiąclecia (in Polish) – Lk 15:11–32

Questions and answers

Will the person I am praying for find out about the Mass?

Only if you tell them yourself. We send the confirmation to you alone. If the intention is read out in church and you give only the first name, no one else will recognise who is meant.

I have been praying for years and nothing changes. Should I request more Masses?

God does not act according to the number of Masses requested or according to our timetable. Another Mass makes sense as an expression of persevering love, but it does not have to be “ever greater”. Sometimes it is worth entrusting yourself to God as well: “for peace of heart and hope for me as I wait for my son's conversion”.

Can I request a Mass for someone who has hurt me?

Yes. The Catechism notes that Christian intercession extends even to those who do us harm (CCC 2635). Such an intention can simply read: “For God's blessing and a change of heart for Robert.” Praying for someone who has hurt you does not mean accepting the harm.

The former Carmelite church in Białynicze, drawing by Napoleon Orda — Napoleon Orda, Białynicze (1877), public domain · Wikimedia Commons

The Shrine of Our Lady of Białynicze

For centuries Białynicze on the River Drut was one of the most important Marian shrines of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, known as the “Częstochowa of Belarus”. The Carmelite church with the miraculous image of Our Lady, crowned in 1761, was destroyed in Soviet times.

Today the parish is rebuilding the shrine, and every Mass requested here supports this work.

History of the shrine →

Request a Holy Mass

Leave your contact details and intention – we will reply by e-mail with a proposed date.